Have you ever spent time around someone who is probably a clinical narcissist? A Donald Trump type?
You know that way they suck all the air out of the room, and everything has to gravitate around them ALL THE TIME?
Conversation
Seeing everything in reference to a sense of self is kind of like that.
"Oh, stomach ache. What does this say about me? Am I stressed? Shit, it's probably about that thing Susan said. I wonder if-"
Every fucking thing becomes all "me, me, me!"
1
If this goes, a sensation becomes just a sensation.
A call to action or investigation, maybe, but seldom an exercise in self-torturous thought olympics
1
It's not for everyone, but for a lot of us that freedom is worth a bit of existential disorientation.
1
1
Anyway, enough proselytizing. If you do this just for a general sense of well-being and increased awareness/improves concentration, that's fine.
But if so, I'd recommend passing on the more hardcore exercises. It can become quite a trip.
1
Replying to
Are you describing the convention selflessness observation here? Or is it something different?
1
1
Replying to
I just mean if you look at some of the more transformative effects (like no-self/monistic awareness) and think that's not for you...
... then a small, constrained regimen of light meditation exercises will do just fine.
Not everyone wants to train for an ironman, after all.
1
1
Especially around here, people tend to get very upset about certain ontological statements
"What do you mean 'I' don't exist? I'm right here!"
That's of course missing the point, but there is little sense in fighting people on their dearest beliefs IMO.
1
1
(If this doesn't answer your question, feel free to rephrase.)
1
Replying to
No, that answers, thanks. I'm still finding my feet with the basics so might try a bit of this to work in my attention
1
1
Replying to
Oh, my bad! I somehow had you parsed as being quite experienced. Probably just a habit on my part.
Feel free to be in touch if you have any other questions.
Replying to
I orbit a fair bit of meditation conversation and have done a bit of reading. Have been casually practicing for about a year. Still finding my feet.
Thanks for offering 🙂 very kind